Moving Fashion Forward

Data News Weekly would like to welcome our newest Fashion Columnist, Renee Johnson, to the team. Renee Johnson is a New Orleans native, a fashion designer/modiste, and a fiber artist. 
Her fashion lines include: Afri Modiste, custom made evening wear for ladies and Renee J. New Orleans, a manufactured line of formal and semi-formal garments for ladies as well. Renee has presented her fashions at New Orleans Fashion Week and clients include New Orleans first female mayor, LaToya Cantrell. Although she has traveled to over 10 countries, Renee’s biggest design influence is the city she was raised in, and attributes New Orleans for the success she has gained as a designer and artist.

The Arts Council of New Orleans, in partnership with Canal Place Shopping Center, has chosen Renee to be an artist in residence for Round 2 at Salon Studio, in Canal Place. Renee Johnson’s exhibition, “The Last Modiste”, is a display of some of her most recent work created while in the Salon Artist Residency. Seven artists, including artist collaborations, were chosen through a call to artist in March. There were over 75 artists who applied, with winning artists being awarded six months of free studio space and a solo exhibition in the Salon Gallery. 
The exhibition, “The Last Modiste”, is a tribute to New Orleans modiste, (a French word for dressmaker) and the sewing practices they have passed on for generations. “Modiste played a major part in designing the fashion history of New Orleans. It is important, especially in such a unique city, to honor the people and culture that have shaped us into the city that we love” said Renee. 

Located at 333 Canal Street, on the second level of Canal Place, in the Salon Gallery; the exhibition can be seen on Wednesdays through Mondays, from 1pm to 6pm. In addition, there was an artist reception on August 10th from 6pm to 9pm. To contact Renee about her exhibition, or to be featured in a future fashion column, email her at afrimodiste@gmail.com